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Tim Cavanaugh | December 24, 2004

Jacob Sullum takes a plug at bogus claims against chaw.

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|12.24.04 @ 3:34PM|#

There's also NicStic.

In a discussion somewhere on NicStic, I read that RJ Reynolds, in the 80s, had proposed a similar device. The FDA rejected it on the grounds that such product would constitute a drug-delivery device as opposed to a cigarette, and hence would need to pass similar tests as medications. Can someone confirm/deny this story? If true, what responsibility should the govt. bear, for smoking-related deaths since then, by preventing such a product.

|12.24.04 @ 3:45PM|#

Is this stuff a satisfying alternative for smokers? I mean, cigarettes offer a few obvious benefits over chew... inhalation is a much more rapid delivery system, the ritual of smoking and the handling of the cigarette is a big part of the addiction, and with cigarettes, no spitting is required. Does anyone have any idea whether smokers find the smokeless tobacco to be a viable alternative?

Larry A|12.24.04 @ 4:02PM|#

I'm not sure I even believe this story. This level of government obfuscation is simply impossible given a free and impartial press.

Oh. Wait. Never mind.

aj|12.24.04 @ 5:24PM|#

the product back in the 80's was some sort of smokeless cigarette. as i recall, it was ruled a nicotine deliver device(like that was in doubt.) But it was pulled back by the cig maker after it was under FDA jurisdiction. They cant stand for there to be a safe drug delivery system, defeats the 'every drug is evil' mantra.

|12.24.04 @ 8:05PM|#

What isn't a delivery device?
If you're not a delivery device in some way shape or form, you need to go back to the drawing board or commit suicide.

I stand and DELIVER!

|12.24.04 @ 10:14PM|#

Can't speak for all smokers, but I know I hate chewing tobacco, keeping it in my mouth, spitting, etc, though I should admit the one time I tried it I ended up vomiting, and then there was another time when I accidentally drank a friends spit because I thought it was beer

|12.24.04 @ 11:36PM|#

Having dipped on and off for a large portion of my life I can say that after a little practice it offered me a satisfying alternative to smoking. Of course spitting is kind of gross and the ladies, at least most of them, don't like it too much. I agree that it is safer than smoking, I would rather lose my mouth or lip than lungs. Dipping was also cheaper (for me) than smoking. One big draw back to dipping though is that unlike smoking it is difficult to drink while doing it which I think actually cut down on my beer consumption. This may sound funny but in my case it is true. You can only sip on a beer if you have dip in your mouth, if you drink too much you'll be sorry.

As far as the sensation the first dip that a person has if of sufficient size will get you a lot higher than smoking. The first time I dipped I could not stand up for about five minutes. After I got hooked for I while I thought dipping was a little more relaxing than smoking. Both are bad but I prefer dipping if I do either.

Merry X-mas everyone. Lord knows I have better things to do right now than post on H&R

|12.25.04 @ 3:51PM|#

"Lord knows I have better things to do right now than post on H&R"

Actions speak louder than words :)

|12.25.04 @ 10:27PM|#

Can anyone besides me finish this one?
An inebriated guy at a saloon asked if other patrons would care to bet he wouldn't have a sip from the spittoon?

Am I old or what? I remember when the local US post office had cuspidors.

|12.26.04 @ 4:25PM|#

with swedish snus you don't spit -- and it comes in little pouches. my ex liked it, and it help him quit smoking (for a while). It is considerably less gross than american products, but I still thought it tasted terrible.

|12.26.04 @ 8:38PM|#

kelly,
If the War on Drugs were over, do you think anyone would settle for anything as "retro" as nicotine?
Whatever, thanks for having the courage to taste-test swedish snus and write a review.

Is nobody going to "bite" on my joke set-up above?

|12.27.04 @ 8:54AM|#

Sullum: "Some people believe that using smokeless tobacco is safer than smoking," the American Cancer Society says on its Web site. "This is not true."

Website: "Some people believe that using smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking. This is not true."

Question: Did they change the website, or was it misquoted?

|12.27.04 @ 11:40AM|#

My word..you mean there's actually a non-profit organization that spends it's time challenging lies that the public health establishment puts out about public health! What an overworked bunch of people they must be.

drf|12.27.04 @ 12:45PM|#

will second-hand spittle become as hazardous, too?

aside: recommend the movie "super sucker". filmed in jackson, MI. funny.

|12.27.04 @ 2:10PM|#

They changed it; see here here for the Google-cached version, here for today's version, and here for a report on tobacco chewing misinformation on the web, with the old quote.

|12.28.04 @ 10:44AM|#

Andy D,

1) A dip will put nicotine in your system really quickly. 2) Watch a seasoned snuff-addict put in a chew and tell me that there's not a ritual involved.

I picked up that habit in the Army, and when I quit, I found the psychological aspect the hardest to overcome. When I would get bored, I reached for that can of snuff. I suspect a lot of smokers have the same experience when they try to quit.

Damn, now I'm Jonesin' for a chew...

|12.28.04 @ 4:00PM|#

I guess the Feds figure that no snus is good snus. :)

Kevin

drf|12.28.04 @ 5:15PM|#

fucking brilliant, kevrob. absolutely fucking brilliant. i had to clean a snot rocket off my monitor after reading that. oh shit that's aweful. terrible.

|12.28.04 @ 10:47PM|#

I've been dipping for many years and I've thought about quitting many times. The real reason I haven't isn't fear of withdrawal and all the psych stuff that goes with it, it's just that I enjoy it so much I don't want to quit. I've smoked on and off as well, but mostly just socially when chewing would stand out like a sore thumb. Anyway, a while back I did some research on the Swedish Snus products available for import through a website called "The Northerner" and ordered some. It's drastically different from American snuff and actually "feels" healthier and claims to have much less carcinogens. You don't get the bite that American snuff gives which for some reason is a drawback for me. Anyway, it was satistfying from a nicotine standpoint. If available at a local gas station I'd probably use it more often but ordering online seems to be cumbersome (even though it really isn't - I think I just like the American snuff bite!)